Tuesday, June 23, 2009 FLasmatic asks

Q: why are my asthma systems getting worse when I'm taking all my meds?

I have had asthma for about 2 years now along with being treated for allergies about ten years. Although I take all my meds, my symptoms are getting worse. I'm always getting colds, sinus infections, upper respiratory infections and can't spend much time outside because I easily become short of breath. My energy level has decreased. I spend most of my weekends at home just to avoid going outside and getting sick. Even doing routine housework, I become short of breath. Since I get migraines also, I don't eat any junk food or deserts (with the exception of frozen yogart). I am becoming very frustrated because of the continued worsening of my condition. I am 52 years old and live in S. Florida. Do other people experience similiar symptoms and limitations? Does anyone take steriods on a long term basis?

I take Advar 250/50 2 x day, singular, allermyst, D-Allergy (decongestant), topomax (to avoid migraines) and xanax.

Thank you!

Answers (4)

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Rick Frea

6/24/09 1:09pm

It sounds like you have Hardluck Asthma. It also sounds like you are on all the right medicines. The best thing for you to do is to continue to stay in touch with your physician so he and you can continue to work together to come up with the best methods of managing your asthma. Likewise, you are wise to hang around a website like ours so you can learn as much as you can about this disease. Maybe you can learn a few tips to take back to your doctor.

Yes, there are other asthmatics in the same boat as you. Yes, most asthmatics are on inhaled corticosteroids long term to manage their asthma. Since asthma doctors now know asthma is a disease of chronic inflammation as well as a disease of reversible airway obstruction and shortness of braeth, inhaled corticosteroid therapy is a top line therapy for the treatment of asthma.

Keep in mind that inhaled corticosteroids are relatively safe and do not cause systemic steroid side effects so long as you rinse your mouth out after each use.

FLasmatic

6/25/09 5:27am

Hi Rick,

Thanks for your feedback --

I do have another question for you - is it true that we should avoid dairy products?

Thanks again -- I guess I will just need to hang in there -- Have a nice day!

Jean

Sunny S. Florida

Rick Frea

7/25/10 12:44pm

I'm not really sure about whether you should avoid dairy products. I've never read anything about dairy being bad for asthma. Although there may be some material I've missed. The only time I think your doctor might suggest you avoid dairy when you have asthma is when you have an allergy to dairy. The only way to learn that is by trial and error (the hard way) or by seeing an allergist and having an allergy test done.

mira

12/11/10 10:32pm

I understand completely because i have had asthma for the past 20 years and i have had a few bouts throughout the years but nothing like the past year, really the past 3 months. I have been to the er 3 times this month from asthma attack. I have been thru 2 complete antibiotics, predisone regiment, using a nebulizer 4 times a day and taking antiinflammatories along with hydromet syrup and I am still have them the last trip to the er they did 4 breathing treatments within 4 hours. I wish there was something that would work and not make you shaky and make my heart race. I have been thinking of going to a pulmonologist, I have never been to one....Should I go ??

Ann

6/25/09 5:10pm

My family doctor suggested I see a lung specialist which I did and I was diagnosed with lung cancer. If I had not had asthma they would not have found it. There is no pain with lung cancer. I've had chemo and radiation and am doing fine now. You might want to have a chest x-ray to be sure you have no other problems.

FLasmatic

6/26/09 5:34am

Hi Ann,

Sorry to hear about what happened to you -- but luckily you found the right specialist and were correctly diagnosed. I hope you are doing well and wish you the best!

I saw my doctor on Monday because I was having a really hard time breathing even after using my rescue inhaler. He prescribed an antibiotic for my apparent sinus infection, which I didnt know I had because I am always congested, and short term 5 days of steriods. I also was sent for the chest x-ray and lab work. This morning I find out the results of the tests.

Thanks for the suggestion. I also tend to be one of those people who have a condition which is not always what it appears. God Bless!

Jean in Sunny S. Florida

rocky123

9/17/09 4:04am

HI I HAVE SUFFERING FROM ASTHAMA SINCE 15 YEARS.ALL THE YEARS I BELIEVED THAT ASTHAMA IS INCURABLE. BUT I STARTED DOING BREATHING EXCERCISES( PRANAYAMA ) AND DID VIGOUROUS EXCERCISE(RUNNING,CYCLING) AND BELIEVE ME AFTER SOME MONTHS I BEGAN FELLING BETTER .THE FREQUENCY,INTENSITY OF ATTACKS HAVE REDUCED.PLEASE TRY IT YOU WILL DEFINITELY FEEL BETTER.(IT HAS BEEN PROVED MEWEDICALLY) .TILL THEN CONTINUE WITH YOUR MEDICINES. BYE

ponyexpressway

1/ 6/10 1:34am

wow really?!.. wait did you contiune to take your inhalres as you exercised?!.. then just went off them?!..

thanks!

jackie

nurse.ash911

7/24/10 5:48pm

Taking all those meds together can trigger a side effect called rebound congestion, actually making your symptoms worse because your body no longer knows how to behave on its own. Talk to a doctor about this possible side effect. If you are already on advair and singulair, that should be enough. Try cutting out the other drugs (except your topomax if need be)

Q: why are my asthma systems getting worse when I'm taking all my meds?

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